Chittagong Test: Mendis, de Silva's firework help Lanka stage strong reply

Dhananjaya de Silva hammered a scorching century besides sharing a huge 308-run partnership with Kusal Mendis as Sri Lanka staged a strong reply against Bangladesh in their first innings on the third day of the opening Test at Chittagong here on Friday.

At stumps, Lanka were at 504 for three and trailed hosts Bangladesh by just nine runs, with Roshen Silva (87) and Dinesh Chandimal (37) still batting at the crease.

Resuming at yesterday's score of 187-1, de Silva went on to score brilliant 173 runs before falling in the second session while Mendis went on to score his career-best 196 but fell short of his maiden double century for the second time.

Mendis smashed 22 boundaries and two sixes in his 327-ball knock, De Silva brought his fourth Test hundred off 122 balls and ended his innings with 21 fours and a six.

Following the dismissal of Mendis and De Silva, Roshen Silva and Chandimal strongly steadied Lanka's innings as the duo stitched an unbeaten 89-run knock for the fourth wicket to put the visitors in a commanding position in the first Test.

For Bangladesh, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam chipped in with a wicket each.

Earlier, Bangladesh had posted a first innings total of 513 on Day two of the match. Mominal Haque (176), Mushfiqur Rahim (92), captain Mahamudullah (83) and Tamim Iqbal (52) were notable contributors for the hosts.